Ford Experimental Engines

[Nightmist66]

Not sure if these were posted before.

 289 SOHC and 427 3valve "Calliope".

http://www.wrljet.com/fordv8/exotics.html

Early direct injection 302

http://www.museumofamericanspeed.com/Ford-302-CID-V-8-Experimental-Direct-Injection,2959.html

Aluminum 1938 SOHC V8

http://www.museumofamericanspeed.com/Ford-V8-Experimental-SOHC-1938,9119.html

[fekbmax]

Kooool...

[machoneman]

These engines did appear in a Hot Rod magazine long ago. I think the innovative Calliope had the best potential for actual use, in racing as opposed to a true production line engine. At the time Ford was eyeing its use in the Can-Am series where the all-conquering McClaren's used a all-aluminum Chevy rat motor. That and a replacement for the FE in distance FIA racing (read: LeMans) in the GT-40 program, ending with the all-conquering Mark IV in 1967. Too bad as once the FIA severely reduced engine size to limit Ford's GT dominance, Ford pulled out and cancelled this engine. I guess that the Can-AM series did not interest Ford enough to keep even a limited program going. I still think with more development this engine could have been a rat motor killer in Can-Am.

[My427stang]

That SOHC flathead is cool, would love to hear that one run!

[WConley]

The "Direct Injection 302" is actually the famous PROCO engine from the late 70's.  PROCO stands for PROgrammed COmbustion, and it was going to be Ford's future.

The description has a few things wrong, in that it did have a distributor (BIG with 16 pins for the twin spark plugs!!)  They ran well,  but then Ford realized that they could get all of the same benefits by adding an overdrive gear to their automatic transmissions, so the multi-billion dollar project was scrapped.  The engines were pretty much tooled for production at that point.  A few examples survive though.

An example of the Calliope 427 was sitting in the lobby of the Dyno building when I worked there, complete with a brace of original 58mm Webers on top!  Somebody finally must have realized how valuable that engine was, because it's been freshened up and only appears at shows from time to time.

[cjshaker]

That SOHC flathead is cool, would love to hear that one run!

I'll second that!! I have never seen that before and it looks VERY cool. I'd love to have heard what it sounded like. It almost looks like it could have been destined for an airplane application.

[Heo]

Just my thoughts looks like an early aero engine

[fastback 427]

Looks very cool, Ford's advanced technology. They should put that in the starship enterprize, then rev it to warp 9 and dump the clutch   New way to measure 0 to light speed!

[shady]

Scotty says the dilithium crystals can't take warp 9. Rev limiter is set to warp 7.

[machoneman]

"Captain, she can't take any more" ....LOL!

[babybolt]

I had a chance to buy a couple of the Proco engines back in the day for $200 each. 

One of my friends briefly had a 289 SOHC engine.

The June 1968 issue of Hot Rod has the article you guys are talking about, "Ford's Exotic New V8's".  There are 5 Ford prototype engines on the cover, DOHC 302 3-Valve, SOHC 289 2-Valve, 3-Valve Pushrod 427 Calliope, Turbocharged Indy DOHC, and 'Twisted Chamber' 429 for Stocks.  The last engine listed is first article on the Boss 429.